by Chantal Ashford, Contributing Writer
As a fan of Keke Palmer and SZA, I was excited to watch their movie, One of Them Days, in which they play two best friends, Dreux (Palmer) and Alyssa (SZA). Right from the start, their day turns from bad to worse when Alyssa’s boyfriend, Keshawn (played by newcomer Joshua Neal), spends their rent money on a silly idea. Because of this, they’re on track to lose their apartment if they can’t pay the rent. Also, Dreux has an important job interview that could change everything for them.
As the day goes on, many crazy things happen: A blood drive goes wrong, there’s an accident with electricity, they encounter issues with gentrification, and they try to sell something that isn’t theirs. All of this chaos happens in less than 12 hours! The jokes between Dreux and Alyssa make for a fun but challenging day as they try to keep their friendship strong.
This funny movie reminds me of the classic film Friday, but it’s more like Friday After Next, even though it’s not set during Christmas. I expected to laugh a lot, but the humor doesn’t hit as much as I hoped. It’s cute, though!
The comedy is present, but sometimes it feels flat. The real stars of the film are Palmer and SZA, who made it entertaining with their performances, even if the script isn’t the best.
SZA, who’s known as a singer, shines in her first leading role as the artistic Alyssa. She plays her character well and seems very comfortable. It feels like she’s been acting for a long time. I really hope to see her in more movies. Meanwhile, Palmer has always been a star. She knows how to capture attention on screen and makes us want to see more of her.
When Palmer and SZA are on screen together, there’s real magic. Their friendship feels genuine, and I would love to see them act together again, but with a better script. Maybe something that mixes drama and comedy would be great.
The main highlights of this film are the two leads, the enjoyable soundtrack, and the fun Los Angeles setting. Palmer and SZA can draw people to theaters for a good time, but honestly, this film might have worked better as a show on a streaming service.
Rating: Liked It
One of Them Days is currently playing in theaters
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